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This Singapore artist has been nominated for the ‘comic book Oscars’ for 2017

“The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye” by Sonny Liew, a graphic novel on Singapore’s alternative history, tops the nomination list for the Eisners in 2017

When graphic novel, “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye”, by Singapore artist, Sonny Liew, was first released in Singapore, it sold out so quickly that it had to be reprinted again. The book then went on to become a New York Times and Amazon bestseller and gained worldwide acclaim – I even spotted a Spanish-translated copy in a bookstore when I was in Barcelona recently.

Credit: Ilyas Sholihyn

All this makes the book topping the nomination list for Best Graphic Novel category for the Eisners – this is the Oscars of the comic book world, mind you – even more well-deserved. Sonny Liew is among some other esteemed company on the list, including Daniel Clowes (who made the cult favourite “Ghost World”) and Dave McKean (who regularly collaborates with Neil Gaiman).

And while Liew’s portfolio includes titles for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Disney Press and more, it must be pretty sweet to be nominated for a project closer to home. When Liew chose to focus on a leftist revisionist telling of the life of the former Barisan Sosialis leader, Lim Chin Siong, he risked getting the National Arts Council’s funding for his book cut off for “sensitive content.”

Not bad for a book that brings an alternative history to Singapore’s government. All the best, Sonny!